Com S 541 -- Programming Languages 1			January 19, 1993

    HOMEWORK 0-K: What is interesting about action semantics?

Due: January 24, 1992

The CEO of a small midwest software concern has overheard someone at a
conference talking about action semantics.  You are in the research
department of this firm, and the CEO wants to have a meeting with you
on Monday at noon.  ``What is it about?'' you ask the CEO's secretary?
``I don't know, something about action semantics?  Does that sound
right?''  You know how this goes, as it's happened before with other buzzwords.
Your task is to prepare a short presentation on action semantics.
You figure that it's best to address the following points:
	* briefly explain the aim (purpose) of action semantics
	* briefly explain how action semantics differs from other kinds
		of semantics used for programming languages (especially from
		standard denotational semantics).
	* explain the importance of and the benefits of action semantics.
You should look in the introduction and conclusion of the book ``Programming
Languages: Syntax and Semantics'', the introduction to its sections on
action semantics, Watt's book ``Programming Languages: Concepts and Paradigms''
and other introductory materials mentioned in the 
``Introduction to the Literature'' handout for ideas.

This is a group project.  Your group is to
	* prepare a written summary of your arguments, and
	* make a short (about 5-6 minute) oral presentation
The style of oral presentation is up to you; you can have one
person talk, or several.

(If you need transparencies or copies made, let Gary know
far enough in advance to have them made in time for the class.)